Efficient and Reliable Wireless Communication Algorithms for Active Flow Control and Skin Friction Drag Reduction

作为飞机神经系统的重要组成部分，先进的无线传感器/执行器网络技术将用于实现飞行过程中的主动流动控制和有效降低表面摩擦阻力。基于对无线通信真实的系统约束和技术要求的充分理解，本研究旨在开发可行的介质访问控制（MAC）和路由算法，并在传输延迟（单跳和多跳）、吞吐量和能量效率方面提供性能保证。我们将在不同的无线信道条件、网络拓扑和规模、业务模式和通信场景下使用跨层方法进行算法设计和性能评估。新的算法可以保证及时交付足够的感测数据在多跳无线路径，因此，可以用来支持分布式和集中式控制方法。它们将为中央控制器提供流场的全面实时图像，以便及时做出准确的流量控制决策。除了数学分析和计算机模拟，我们将建立一个灵活的传感器网络测试平台，充分评估新的算法，并调查一些重要的实现问题，如干扰，可靠性，可扩展性和设备故障。

As an important part of the aircraft nervous system , advanced wireless sensor/actuator network technologies will be used to realise active flow control and efficient reduction of skin friction drag during flight. Based on a good understanding of real system constraints and technical requirements on wireless communications, this research project aims to develop feasible medium access control (MAC) and routing algorithms with performance guarantees in transmission delay (single-hop and multi-hop), throughput and energy efficiency. We will use cross-layer approaches in algorithm design and performance evaluation under different radio channel conditions, network topologies and sizes, traffic patterns and communication scenarios. New algorithms can guarantee timely delivery of sufficient sensed data over multi-hop wireless paths and, therefore, can be used to support both distributed and centralised control approaches. They will provide the central controller a comprehensive realtime picture of the flow field for making accurate flow control decisions in time. Besides mathematical analysis and computer simulations, we will build a flexible sensor network testbed to fully evaluate the new algorithms and investigate some important implementation issues, such as interference, reliability, scalability and device failure.